PODCAST

January 12th, 2019

Marketers plaster on packaging in bold, bright lettering: new formula, better recipe. In an effort to entice people to try their product, they declare the difference between the old and new.

Christians are new and transformed: “created to be like God” (v. 24b). The old, broken self is redeemed by the grace of God through the death and resurrection of Christ. The Spirit works in the Christian’s life, brining about a new self (v. 22).

Do you know the worst aspect of products that are new and improved? When the “new” product isn’t really different from the “old” product. You’ve been persuaded by the flashy packaging to purchase this “new” item only to get it home and discover, it’s really not new or different or improved.

The writer of Ephesians warns us to beware of simply putting on showy advertising saying we are new in Christ but allowing our old selves to remain. Those in Christ don’t just look different, they are fundamentally different: new and transformed. The difference is noticeable to those around, even without a fancy sign.